The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Enforcement Directorate to question Trinamul Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira in Calcutta, instead of Delhi, in connection with alleged money laundering but recorded an assurance from the Bengal government that “no coercive action” would be taken against ED officials without the court’s prior permission.

A division bench of Justice U.U. Lalit, Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said the court would “not tolerated any infraction, obstruction” to the ED officials who would question the couple.

In case of any obstructions from the Bengal government, the ED was free to move the Supreme Court for appropriate direction, the division bench said. It also asked the Bengal government to approach the Supreme Court in case of difficulties or clarification.

The division bench passed the order in response to an appeal filed by the couple challenging the ED summons issued to them to appear in Delhi for questioning. Delhi High Court had refused to stay the ED summons issued on September 10 to the couple. Abhishek and the wife moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order and with a plea that appropriate directives be issued to the ED officials to question them only in Calcutta.